Our little secret
“That, Stark, I believe is what you mortals call ‘a panic attack’” Not even the events that just transpired were enough to stop Loki from snarking at Stark, who despite only watching the prisoner’s meltdown from a distance, looked exhausted, not even opting to quip back as he sank into the chair located just outside the barrier.
Thor was frozen by the door, Stark was slumped in the cold metal folding chair, and Loki still sat on the thin cot, arms full of the sleeping prisoner.
It was then that he realized that he knew almost nothing of the situation that he suddenly found himself a part of, “Stark”, his sharp voice rang through the small room, drawing the attention of the other men, “I need you to tell me everything that’s happened leading up to this very point”
~
Normally Stark would argue, normally he would make some kind of sharp comment but he was still reeling from the emotions that’d been so overwhelming just moments ago.
Thor moved closer, finally leaving the doorway, as Tony began to recount the general details about her time with them. His voice trailed off as he realized that his mention of Thor’s name is what must have set her off.
He lifted his gaze from the sleeping girl, expecting to meet eyes with the aforementioned god, only to realize that his eyes were fixated on something on the floor. The remnants of Loki’s cuffs were lying broken on the ground, with the occasional red or green magic spark popping up.
Loki seemed to realize that both men had gone silent and followed their eyes to what remains of the bracelets he’d only just put on less than half an hour ago. He hadn’t even noticed them break off.
“Jarvis,” Tony finally broke the silence, “when did Loki’s bracelets come off?”
There was a beat of silence before Jarvis revealed that the bracelets had broken only moments after he and his brother had entered the room. The exact moment that the two’s magics had fully collided.
The three sat in silence for a moment, absorbing this new information. Before long though, Stark was breaking the silence once more.
He began to speak, seemingly to himself, murmuring about overloads and wether it was a one time fluke and all the tests he’d have to run before he quickly stood and exited the room, not speaking a word to either of the gods present other than a hasty, “wait here”
Choosing to ignore Stark’s eccentricities, Loki shifted his focus to his brother instead. He looked distraught.
Thor spoke up before Loki could ask after him though, “Why do you think mention of me upset her so badly? I’ve only ever met her once…”
His brother seemed almost distraught that the thought of him had distressed this girl so much, “Perhaps it’s not specifically you, brother”, Loki tried, not quite knowing what he could say to comfort his brother when they knew almost nothing about what happened. As he assumed, Thor didn’t seem placated by this but gave his brother a small smile as if to thank him for trying.
It was then that the door swung open again, revealing Stark and another figure. Loki, wary of those in the tower, tightened his arms around the girl, not even realizing what he was doing. He didn’t recognize the man Stark had brought, and he didn’t know if she had been referring to her time in the tower when her magic had shouted ‘TORTURE’ at him. His magic’s connection to the girl seemed to leave him feeling more protective of her than he would be normally towards someone he’d never met.
Why he failed to realize his actions, everyone else in the room were able to pick up on it, though only Thor had the faintest idea as to why.
Tony walked over to the interrogation table in the corner and began emptying the contents of a backpack onto it, rambling about cuffs and earpieces and all kinds of inventor jargon that flew over just about everyone’s heads.
Loki hadn’t even bothered attempting to pay attention, too busy trying to determine if this new presence was a threat to him or the girl. Eventually he caved and voiced his curiositys, “Who’s this?” The man was stood frozen just in the doorway, eyes fixed on the heap of girl in Loki’s arms. He didn’t seem angry, more concerned, but his face was very hard to read and his magic was limited since it was still primarily focused on soothing the girl.
Stark snapped out of his building trance, remembering the man he’d summoned down here, “Oh, right. Loki, Barnes, Barnes, Loki”, he gestured between each man as he quickly did introductions, “Barnes is a soldier who was brainwashed and manipulated for decades by an evil organization that made him kill people,” Barnes’ head snapped towards the mechanic, seemingly not expecting Stark to reveal this information that soon, “Loki’s a magical god who was brainwashed and manipulated by an evil titan that made his try to overtake Earth and kill a bunch of people”
Both men silently locked eyes, sizing each other up before exchanging small nods. At this sign of acceptance, Stark continued, “I brought Barnes down here since he’s the only one besides Loki who the girl seems to connect with in any way,” he made a gesture with his hand and footage of Barnes’ interaction with the girl from a few days prior began playing, much to his embarrassment according to the light blush that tinted his cheeks.
Quickly he cleared his throat, diverting his attention back to the girl and the god, “Please, just call me Bucky,” his eyes darted around the room again, taking in everyone’s disheveled appearances and what seemed to be broken cuffs on the floor before returning to the pair on the cot, “what happened?”
As soon as he asked, the footage changed from the footage of him and the girl to a recap of the day’s events. It showed everything from Stark’s discussion with her to her panic beginning to the gods’ arrival, and even to Bucky’s arrival before shutting off.
The room fell silent once more before Stark spoke once again, seeming discontent with allowing the room to be silent for more than a few moments, “Reindeer games, I need you over here, give the girl to Barnes”,
Loki was not happy with the nickname but chose to ignore it for now. His magic didn’t like the idea of giving her up, and his hesitation must have shown on his face.
Stark sighed as if this was the biggest inconvenience he’d ever faced before beginning to explain himself, “I need to fit some new cuffs to you, I brought everything so we can do it from here but you have to let go of her for it to happen”
Well he wasn’t thrilled at the idea of having to put on more cuffs and suppress his magic once again, but knew that it was a part of him coming here so relented.
By now Stark had had Jarvis just completely do away with the cell’s barrier, allowing Barnes to freely walk over to the cot.
Loki stood and began to pass her over when he pulled back suddenly, as if he’d been shocked. He recoiled with her still in his arms, pulling her closer to his chest.
His sudden movement startled everyone in the room, especially Bucky who yanked his arms back to his body.
For a moment no one moved before Loki was able to relax his body and straighten back up
“Her magic didn’t like the idea that I was leaving her” he explained quickly as he smoothly passed the small body to Bucky’s arms. He’s not sure if anyone said anything in response, too busy sending waves of reassurance that he was still here to the girl, attempting to sooth her magic which had started to get anxious as soon as they were no longer physically touching. He also focused on the name, Barnes, hoping that she’d understand who she was now touching. It seemed to work as she settled back down quickly.
When he was finally able to sit at the table with Stark, he noticed the gold bands sitting infront of him. The seemed far less sturdy than the last.
Stark seemed to notice his confusion, “They’re a little different than the last ones, these were just prototypes so there’s no actual magic suppressant in them,”
That seemed to shock everyone in the room, all head whipping to look that the billionaire.
“These’ll just be temporary. If anyone outside of this room saw you walking around without any cuffs they’d lose their minds and possibly even attack you,” he paused for a moment, seemingly thinking, “I’m going to make some new magic suppressant ones, but then I want to test a few things. I’m not sure what the deal with your and her magic is but I have a suspicion that’s why the first cuffs failed. I’ll run a few tests and I’m thinking I may just make a more convincing looking version of the non suppressing ones”
This really shocked everyone, Loki especially, “You would have me walk around with full magic capabilities?”
Stark shrugged, pulling a flask out of seemingly nowhere and taking a quick sip, “I never wanted you to have to wear them in the first place, but it shouldn’t be a problem as long as no one outside of this room knows that the cuffs are just for show”, he pointedly glanced around the room, being met with nods of confirmation from all.
“Good… this can be our little secret”